Non-Insider Thoughts

[Coal Harbour]

I love reading the insiders posts as the last couple of days has been a blast. I'm sure I've missed some things over the last few months, but a a number of items stand out and wonder if others share the same opinion as I do.

* There were reports that if Mack Brown led UT to a Big XII title and BCS game berth that he would be retained in 2014.

I'm to believe that the future of the program was decided by 4 quarters in Waco? Please tell me that the decision makers in this process aren't that shallow and couldn't put together enough of a case to move the program in a different direction based on the last few years.

* I've read a number of posts on other sites and a few here at HS that are very sensitive to criticism of Mack Brown, citing his body of work, private charitable contributions and positive perception as a man.

I like MB and will never forget the accomplishments he had serving as HC at UT, but based on reports of alliances with BMD's and playing on those relationships to keep his job secure and controlling outside messages, is a leader of men really suppose to be delivering a message that it "is who you know, and not what you know", that is important? Seems to be a direct contradiction to what a HC should be teaching 18-22 year olds.

* I've been told over and over that the BMD's are smart business men and follow a check list, so to speak, in accomplishing an agenda that is in the universities best interest.

I don't understand how being a smart business man makes you smart in dealing with athletic department matters? Living in North Texas, I saw Tom Hicks get credit for a Stanley Cup with the Stars when the real reason Brett Hull came to Dallas was b/c he wanted to play with Mike Modano. Hicks ran the Rangers into the ground, has made the rebuilding process for the Stars very difficult for the current owner and now that he is separated from Liverpool, that club is starting to win. I'm beginning to think that my hopes should settle on the side of "dumb luck" when BMD's are making athletic decisions.

* I have seen 10 years for 115 million mentioned as it pertains to a possible salary for Nick Saban and I've seen comments citing that this amount is a way out of line.

I personally think college athletics is late to the party when it comes to salaries. Whenever a 4th or 5th SP can command 10 mil/year (see Astros Scott Feldman) and only pitch a maximum of 33 games a year, it sure seems like a bargain to have the face of an athletic department make the same amount of money a year. I honestly wonder why it has taken so long and a chip UT should play to gain a competitive advantage.

I welcome all opinions as this may provide clarity to some of the takes that I have with what is going on within the athletic department. Thanks.

 

[ridik01]

Good post!

 

[SanTexHorn]

I agree with you on the first two, no opinion on the third, but disagree on the fourth. Texas is making a lot of money with its athletic department, and they want to continue doing so. You start paying HC's $10-$15 million a year(not to mention assistant coaches), you have to make up the money somewhere, and that is by raising prices on tickets, concessions, clothing, etc. IMO, college sports are one of the few remaining activities you can enjoy without spending a small fortune.

 

[Coal Harbour]

I agree with you on the first two, no opinion on the third, but disagree on the fourth. Texas is making a lot of money with its athletic department, and they want to continue doing so. You start paying HC's $10-$15 million a year(not to mention assistant coaches), you have to make up the money somewhere, and that is by raising prices on tickets, concessions, clothing, etc. IMO, college sports are one of the few remaining activities you can enjoy without spending a small fortune.

Very good point. My love for professional sports has taken a hit due to the prices you referenced. However, I do think college sports is now big business and has been that way for a good while. I've been fortunate enough to attend the UT/OU game at Fair Park for the past 18 of 19 years and the face value on just those tickets alone have increased significantly.

I think collegiate football prices across the board will continue to rise with other sports remaining affordable, in comparison. Therefore, I don't mind the HC of the football program making that type of coin when most of the money generated by the athletic department is directly from football. It just seems like the natural evolution of things and figured UT with its resources should lead the way if that is the way things are going to move nation wide in the future.

 

[orangeman01]

I think taxpayers will start complaining big time if a public university employee is getting paid 10 million a year along with the rest of the staffs pay. I don't think that's a reasonable amount in this economy. We aren't a private institution.

 

[Coal Harbour]

I think taxpayers will start complaining big time if a public university employee is getting paid 10 million a year along with the rest of the staffs pay. I don't think that's a reasonable amount in this economy. We aren't a private institution.

Wouldn't the money generated by the BMD's offset that to a degree? I know this is crazy money, but didn't SMU do the same thing on a much lesser scale to offset the salary of June Jones?

 

[Bandit]

I think taxpayers will start complaining big time if a public university employee is getting paid 10 million a year along with the rest of the staffs pay. I don't think that's a reasonable amount in this economy. We aren't a private institution.

Considering $5 million a year for 20 yrs goes directly to the general revenue fund from the LHN deal, I think its a wash at worst. And if this was Columbia or some such institution. But not Texas.